Harare mayor proposes helicopter for firefighting

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume proposed acquiring a helicopter to fight fires in high-rise buildings, sparking debate on social media. iHarare News reported the proposal on August 4, 2026. The friction: residents question the priority given the city's crumbling infrastructure and water shortages. The core vulnerability: the proposal may be seen as tone-deaf amid more pressing urban crises, and the cost of such an acquisition could divert funds from essential services like water supply and road maintenance.